In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, top Pakistan cricket players, including skipper Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, overwhelmed by the warm reception they received upon their arrival in Hyderabad, India. The Men in Green, making their first visit to their neighboring country since 2016, landed in Hyderabad on Wednesday, with security arrangements in place ahead of the seven-week-long World Cup set to begin on October 5.
As the Pakistani team disembarked at the airport in Hyderabad, excited crowds gathered, cheering and chanting the name of team captain Babar Azam. Security personnel were in place to ensure order and safety. The atmosphere was electric, with fans expressing their enthusiasm for the upcoming ODI tournament.
Taking to social media, Babar Azam expressed his gratitude, posting on Instagram, “Overwhelmed with the love and support here in Hyderabad!” Star pacer Shaheen Afridi shared his excitement with fans, stating, “Great welcome thus far!” Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan “amazed” by the warm reception from fans upon their arrival.
Amazing reception from the people here. Everything was super smooth. Looking forward to the next 1.5 months 😇— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) September 27, 2023
It’s worth noting that Pakistan and India are longstanding rivals with political tensions between the two nations. They typically only face each other in international cricket tournaments, often on neutral ground. This World Cup, featuring 48 matches spanning 46 days at 10 different venues, will culminate in the final match on November 19.
Pakistan scheduled to play two warm-up matches, one against New Zealand on September 29 and the other against Australia on October 3, both in Hyderabad. However, due to anticipated large crowds for a Hindu festival on Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the first warm-up match will held behind closed doors, following the advice of local security agencies.
Pakistan will commence their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands before facing their arch-rivals, India, in the over 130,000-seat Ahmedabad Stadium on October 14. India’s campaign kicks off against Australia on October 8, with the much-anticipated showdown against Pakistan soon after.
Visas for the Pakistan cricket team to travel to India reportedly issued just 48 hours before their scheduled departure, as reported by both Indian and Pakistani media. However, there has been no official response from India regarding visa arrangements for Pakistani fans traveling to support their team.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the thrilling encounters at the World Cup, the warm welcome received by the Pakistan cricket team in India serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports, transcending borders and political tensions.